The Northwest Report-Week 11 Rewind

The Northwest Report-Week 11 Rewind
By Nick Haswell for Football Reporters Online

Week 11 of the college football season provided little excitement from the Northwest teams in action. The biggest story was Idaho State finally winning its first game of the 2009 season by defeating Portland State 41-34 a week after the Bengals lost a 12-10 heartbreaker to Montana on a field goal as time expired. It was the final game for both the Bengals and the Portland State Vikings in 2009. It was also the final game for Jerry Glanville as the Vikings head coach, as he resigned on Tuesday from his position. Glanville finished with a disappointing 9-24 record in three seasons at PSU, failing to deliver the victories that his hiring as head coach was expected to achieve.

Elsewhere, it was a slow week in the Northwest college football action, as all the favored teams won comfortably. Here are the recaps of each game:

Game of the Week-Idaho at Boise State: The sixth ranked Boise State Broncos(11-0) made quick work of the Idaho Vandals(7-4) in their 62-25 victory in the annual rivalry game. The Broncos jumped out to a 42-17 halftime lead after a 100 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Titus Young with just 14 seconds left in the first half, after the Vandals had shortened BSU’s lead to 35-17. Kellen Moore continued to showcase himself for the Heisman trophy with 299 yards passing and 5 touchdowns in a little more than a half of work. Idaho did gain 514 yards of total offense on the Bronco defense, but turned the ball over seven times.

UCLA at Washington State: The Washington State Cougars (1-9) suffered another blowout loss in the 2009 season in losing to the UCLA Bruins 43-7. The Cougars offense could only muster 181 yards of total offense, and the defense allowed 556 yards to the Bruin offense. Only a 46 yard pass from Kevin Lopina to Jeffrey Solomon in the third quarter avoided a shutout for Wazzu.

Washington at Oregon State: The 23rd ranked Beavers (7-3) raced out to a 20-0 lead and were never really threatened by the Huskies (3-7) in their 48-21 win. Sean Canfield threw for four touchdowns, two of them to James Rodgers, and Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Husky RB Chris Polk, enjoyed his second consecutive 100 yard rushing performance with 116 yards rushing. But Jake Locker struggled against Oregon State’s pressure, throwing for just 153 yards in the loss as the Huskies saw their bowl dreams vanish with the loss.

Arizona State at Oregon: After a tough defeat on the road to the surging Stanford Cardinal last week, the Oregon Ducks (8-2) came home to defeat the Arizona State Sun Devils (4-6) 44-21. The 13th ranked Ducks were led by LaMichael James’ 150 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The Ducks defense limited the ASU offense to just 211 yards of total offense on the night.

Eastern Washington at Southern Utah: The EWU Eagles (7-3) kept their postseason hopes alive by beating the SUU Thunderbirds 41-28. Matt Nichols threw for 380 yards and 4 touchdowns on the afternoon. He also ran for 75 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles must beat Northern Arizona on the road on Saturday to have any hope for an at-large bid in the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs.

Portland State at Idaho State: In the season finale for both squads, the Idaho State Bengals (1-10) avoided a winless season by defeating the Vikings (2-9) 41-34. Russel Hill threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns, all to Kelvin Krosch , for the Bengals. PSU’s Justin Engstrom threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, but also threw four interceptions in the loss.
Northern Colorado at Montana: With their 38-10 win over Northern Colorado (3-8), the Montana Grizzlies (10-0) clinched their 12th consecutive Big Sky Conference title outright. Chase Reynolds broke a close game open with two long touchdown runs (54 and 37 yards) early in the third quarter. Reynolds finished with 151 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The Grizzlies are just a victory over rival Montana State away from their second perfect regular season in three years.

Sacramento State at Montana State: The Bobcats (7-3) kept their playoff dreams alive by beating the Sacramento State Hornets (4-6) 27-17. MSU will have to defeat their hated in-state rivals and the 3rd ranked Montana Grizzlies at home on Saturday to have a chance at an at-large bid in the FCS playoffs. Bobcat QB Cody Kempt completed an efficient 20 of 29 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over the Hornets.